A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Memphis vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Memphis

Memphis is a laid-back, soulful, and creative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Memphis. Although Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Memphis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Memphis is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Memphis and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Memphis is famous for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also well known for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is Memphis different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Memphis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Memphis.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Memphis. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Memphis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Memphis offers plenty to do in the evening. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Music?

Memphis is renowned for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

In Memphis you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for the beach. However, Memphis is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Memphis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Memphis is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for couples. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Memphis is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Memphis is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Memphis is a good city to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Memphis is somewhat walkable. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Memphis. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Memphis, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Families should spend more time in Memphis than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Memphis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Memphis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Memphis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and museums around the destination of Memphis, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the creative city of Memphis, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the laid-back destination of Memphis. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Memphis is a popular choice for travelers. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Memphis is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Memphis Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Memphis during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Memphis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Memphis is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 83°F (29°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Memphis usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Memphis is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Memphis in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Memphis usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Memphis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Memphis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Memphis is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 40°F (5°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Memphis usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Memphis for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Memphis is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Memphis. In April, Memphis usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Memphis